Computer enclosure

ABSTRACT

A computer enclosure includes a rear plate. The rear plate defines a plurality of ventilation holes therein. A first rib, a second rib and a third rib is located on the rear plate. The first rib surrounds the ventilation holes. The third rib surrounds the first and second ribs.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to computer enclosures, and particularly to a computer enclosure with reinforced mounting areas.

2. Description of Related Art

A computer enclosure generally holds many electronic elements, such as a motherboard, hard disk drives, PCI devices, power supplies, fans, and so on. Usually, the PCI devices and the power supply are supported on a rear plate of the computer enclosure, which requires that the rear plate be a thick metal plate, such as a 1 mm metal plate, which adds to the expense of manufacturing the computer enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a computer enclosure in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing from another aspect.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a rear plate of the computer enclosure of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a computer enclosure in accordance with an embodiment includes a bottom plate 11, two parallel side plates 12 perpendicular to the bottom plate 11, and a front plate 14.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the rear plate 16 includes a PCI device mounting area 161, an input/output (I/O) device mounting area 162, a heat dissipating device mounting area 165, and a power supply mounting area 167.

The PCI device mounting area 161 is configured to secure a plurality of PCI devices (not shown). A rectangular through opening 1611 is defined in a top portion of the PCI device mounting area 161. A support piece 1612 is bent out perpendicularly from a bottom edge of the through opening 1611. A plurality of PCI slots (not labeled) is defined in the PCI device mounting area 161 below the support piece 1612, and extends in a vertical direction. A plurality of bridge pieces 1614 is formed on a bottom portion of the PCI device mounting area 161 below the PCI slots.

The I/O device mounting area 162 is configured to secure a plurality of I/O devices thereon. A rectangular I/O opening 1621 is defined in the I/O device mounting area 162. A plurality of tabs 1623 is bent from edges of the I/O opening 1621, and configured to reinforce the I/O device mounting area 162 for I/O members, such as mouse connectors, keyboard connectors, and so on. The tabs 1623 are used to secure a rectangular shielding piece (not shown), which is capable of covering the I/O opening 1621.

The heat dissipating device mounting area 165 is formed on the rear plate 16 above the I/O device mounting area 162 and adjacent the PCI device mounting area 161. A plurality of ventilation holes 1651 is defined in the heat dissipating device mounting area 165, and arranged in a circular area. A first rib 1652 is formed in the heat dissipating device mounting area 165, and surround the ventilation holes 1651. A second rib 1653 is formed in the heat dissipating device mounting area 165 to surround as a rectangular shape, and is adjacent the first rib 1651. A third rib 1655 is formed on the dissipating device mounting area 165, and extends substantially around edges of the first rib 1652 and the second rib 1653. Therefore, the first rib 1652 and the second rib 1653 are surrounded by the third rib 1655. The first rib 1652, the second rib 1653 and the third rib 1655 reinforce the heat dissipating device mounting area 1655.

The power supply mounting area 167 is positioned adjacent the I/O device mounting area 162 and the heat dissipating device mounting area 165. A retaining piece 1671 is bent perpendicularly from the power supply mounting area 167, for example by stamping, so as to form a power supply opening 1672. A bent piece 1673 is perpendicular to the retaining piece 1671 and parallel to the bottom plate 11. Two securing holes 1675 are defined in the bent piece 1673. Two fasteners (not shown) are fixed in the securing holes 1675 to secure the bent piece 1673 on the bottom plate 11, so as to increase the support for a power supply (not shown). A plurality of protrusions 1676 is located on the power supply mounting area adjacent corners of the power supply opening 1672, thereby reinforcing the power supply mounting area 167.

Two long flanges 163 and two short flanges 164 are perpendicularly bent from edges of the rear plate 16. A plurality of rolled pieces 1631 is formed at free edges of the long flanges 163, thereby reinforcing the long flanges 163, so as to prevent the long flanges 163 from easily deforming.

In one embodiment, the rear plate 16 is not easily deformed, because of the support piece 1612, the first rib 1651, the second rib 1652, the third rib 1655, the retaining piece 1671, the protrusions 1676, the long flanges 163, the short flanges 165, and the rolled pieces 1631. Therefore, the rear plate 16 can be made of a relatively thin metal plate, such as 0.4 mm metal plate, and still be strong enough to support the PCI devices, the I/O devices, the heat dissipating devices, and the power supply.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer enclosure comprising: a rear plate defining a plurality of ventilation holes therein, a first rib, a second rib and a third rib being located on the rear plate; wherein the first rib surrounds the ventilation holes; the third rib surrounds the first and second ribs.
 2. The computer enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first rib forms a generally rectangular shape.
 3. The computer enclosure of claim 1, wherein the second rib forms a generally rectangular shape.
 4. The computer enclosure of claim 1, wherein a flange is bent from an edge of the rear plate, and at least one rolled piece is formed on the flange.
 5. The computer enclosure of claim 1, wherein a retaining piece is bent from the rear plate, so that the rear plate defines a power supply opening therein.
 6. The computer enclosure of claim 5, wherein the computer enclosure further comprises a bottom plate perpendicular to the rear plate; the retaining piece is secured to the bottom plate.
 7. The computer enclosure of claim 5, wherein at least one protrusion is located on rear plate adjacent a corner of the power supply opening.
 8. The computer enclosure of claim 1, wherein the rear plate is made of 0.4 mm metal plate.
 9. A computer enclosure comprising: a rear plate with a first rib, a second rib and a third rib located thereon; wherein the first and second ribs form a generally rectangular shape respectively; and the third rib surrounds the first rib and the second rib.
 10. The computer enclosure of claim 9, wherein a flange is bent from an edge of the rear plate, and at least one rolled piece is formed on the flange.
 11. The computer enclosure of claim 9, wherein a retaining piece is bent from the rear plate, so that the rear plate defines a power supply opening therein.
 12. The computer enclosure of claim 11, wherein the computer enclosure further comprises a bottom plate perpendicular to the rear plate; the retaining piece is secured to the bottom plate.
 13. The computer enclosure of claim 11, wherein at least one protrusion is located on rear plate adjacent a corner of the power supply opening.
 14. The computer enclosure of claim 9, wherein the rear plate is made of 0.4 mm metal plate.
 15. The computer enclosure of claim 9, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes is defined in the rear plate and surrounded by the first rib. 